PIG, HORSE, OR COW, DON'T WAKE ME NOW

Age Range: 3 - 7

Pub Date: Oct. 1st, 1994ISBN: 0-385-32032-9Publisher: Doubleday

The concept is simple: Each animal on the farm, as it wakes up, rouses its neighbor, until, finally, the boy of the house rises and begins his day. But this interdependence is not supported by the photographs, which emphasize the cuteness of each animal rather than its place in the community. The photos by themselves are gorgeous, but they serve no narrative function. And Alda (Sheep, Sheep, Sheep, Help Me Fall Asleep, not reviewed) is better with lens than with pen. Her verse is unremarkable at best. ``The cat meowed and purred a lot./She woke a boy whose name was Scott./Scottie said, `What made me wake?/I'd like more sleep, for goodness' sake.' '' Without any serious attempt at integrating its elements, this book is no reason to jump out of bed. (Fiction/Picture book. 3-7)